CHAPTER 1

John's POV

Early in the morning, here I am strolling down the halls while being attentive to my favorite track and artist. I close my eyes and I appear to sense the emotion in Cueshé's song titled Ulan. The lyrics of this song are clearly very broken.

As I walked, I additionally looked around wherein I ought to see only a few of my fellow students who seemed to have just entered school. Others, in the different buildings, are busy with their Physical Education issue due to the P.E Attire they may be wearing.

In fact, it is still very early, some students are probably still sleeping or some students are still eating breakfast at home.

I looked at the watch on my Rolex and realized it was only five forty-eight in the morning. Our classes will start at six o'clock due to the lack of classrooms for our high school students at the public school in Butuan City.

I kept walking and I was about to go to the huge gate towards the Senior High building when I stopped as I saw my girlfriend, Kate in another room.

I thought it was just me, but I'm sure it was her, my girlfriend, and he was with one of my classmates, Kurt.

I don't know that they are that close friends because they rarely talk in the classroom. Well, except that they are always together whenever they came in late.

Kate and I don't talk anymore because I am too busy with our basketball team practices and Kate is busy with the cheerleading team.

I was about to follow them and was surprised to hear what Kate told him.

"I love you so much, Kurt. I'm sorry, but this is what we got and for the situation."

Because of the discovery I had discovered, I grasped my chest like it was being stabbed with a thousand needles. As I find out that the woman you love, the woman you trust, is cheating on you, it hurts so bad.

"Hi, Kate," I said as I walked into the classroom, no longer hesitating.

When Kate saw me, her face lit up with shock and then trembled with dread. "John," she chuckled quietly but couldn't look me in the eyes, "What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't that be I asking you that? What are you doing here with that guy?" I questioned sharply.

"Nothing," she said as she closed her eyes and placed her arm around my shoulder, but I yanked her off, surprising Kate.

"I know everything, Kate. I heard what you said to him that you and Kurt," I said, tears in my eyes, "that you're in a relationship.  So, does that imply that we're over?"

"I'm sorry, John, but Kurt is the one who I love. Please, accept my apologies."

"I hope you're happy with your decision," I said with a nod and a phony smile.

I turned around and began to back away, but with each step, I felt as if I were dying from the excruciating pain I was experiencing.

AFTER ONE MONTH

Why do practically all women love and enjoy hurting us? Now I understand why they were named and tagged LADIES FIRST: they were the first to hurt men.

It was even more revolting to go to school and only see them in whatever corner of the building. The three of us are still in the same class, of course.

It's Thursday evening, and I'm in front of my laptop, as usual, working on our upcoming essay. Our teacher does not want the essays to be handwritten because we are using modern technology, so the essay must be encoded.

I was so upbeat that it had been an hour and I still hadn't started working on the essay.

I sighed and analyzed everything. Kate and I split up last month, and it hasn't been easy for me.

As a result of neglecting myself, particularly my school activities, a lot has changed within me. I go to school, but I look like a zombie because I haven't gotten enough sleep and haven't eaten properly in days.

I'm still alive, but my heart has stopped beating.

For the past month, I have never been to any basketball practice. I'm sure I won't be able to stay focused, especially since the Cheerleading Team seems to be the only folks around.

"Am I not enough?" a thought occurred to me.

Maybe I'm not important to Kate, and I'm the only one in our relationship who is squandering time.

I was preoccupied with my thoughts when such the door knocked, and I rose to answer it. My Mom is the one who has knocked.

"What is it, Mom? What exactly do you need?"

"I brought you food because you weren't eating."

I observed the platter she is holding, which contained merely food and a glass of water. I accepted it with a smile, "Okay, I'll probably eat here now. I'm still working on something."

She returned the smile "Good, eat a lot. I'm worried about you as well. Because you've never eaten or left your room since you and Kate did break up, you might just get ill." 

When my mother sighed, I put the tray on the table and hugged her. "Mom, don't be worried. I'll get my life in order now, and I appreciate your patience."

"You are, after all, my child. By the way," she added as we parted, "We got neighbors and friends who are really kind. Her name is Judy and she has now become a friend of mine, so she and her family will be here for dinner tomorrow night."

"I assume you invited them, right?"

"Yeah, I like to know as much about them. I also heard that their daughter, who is at your level, will be going to Agusan High School. Perhaps she will start her classes tomorrow."

"How is it so fast? It's already the end of the week. She could start on Monday."

"I'm getting sleepy," mom stated as she walked towards the door. "Don't forget to eat a lot and follow my directions. Have a good night!"

When she came out of my room, I was just relieved. If I'm not mistaken, my mother intends to invite them simply so I can join them for dinner.

I haven't spent time with my family in a month, but I'm certain and I will let my life shine again. For the pain she has caused me, one month is enough.

I went back to work and started typing while eating the food Mom had brought me.

When I started to feel sleepy, I decided to take a walk around my bedroom and see if I might discover any new.

I went to my window and opened the drapes and window for the very first time this month.

I turned my gaze towards the skies, that I could clearly see the lovely stars, and then I began to pull my gaze towards the house next to another.

When I realized that the other house had been sold, I turned and looked at it. They're supposed to be our new residents, as Mom mentioned earlier, based also on unopened parcels and cartons.

I spotted a couple at the window and thought they were lovely and happy. The huge windows with a cradle stand just across from my room, indicating that the family has a baby.

"Perhaps this dinner will be fine tomorrow," I murmured to myself as I shut the curtains and headed downstairs to wash the dishes.

As I ascended, I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd saw earlier.

I don't like to say it, but I think I'm fascinated by the lady who was holding a baby as she passed by that window.

x x x x x

My best friend, King Solomon, murmured softly, "This stinks." King was always a slacker when it came to studying, even though he had the skill and was capable of passing his grades.

"Even though it is Friday, there is still a lot of homework to be done. Isn't it very unjust, bruh?" He added and held on to me while he caressed me, but all I did was stare at him.

"And obviously, you're still broke," he muttered until I heard a tiny voice exclaim, "Stop talking, King Solomon! You're whining yet again! At the very best, we'll only be here until eleven o'clock. Unlike some of the other classes, this is special. They're continuing on throughout the day! So, be quiet!"

"You're the one who needs to shut up. I can't really stand you that you're so obnoxious!"

"Awesome! Let me take a look at what I've gotten." I witnessed her toss a ballpen at King until it hit him in the forehead, "Headshot!"

"Ouch! It's awful! Woman, you're sick! Take this!"

My best friend responded with his book, which she flung at Queen's face, "THERE! F******K."

"KING, YOU'RE ANNOYING!"

"YOU ARE THE MOST ANNOYING! I'VE JUST GOTTEN MY PAYBACK!"

As I noticed their looks of annoyance as if they were about to attack, I snorted. It was still early today, but they appear to be so stressed.

I was taken aback because they were staring at me and seemed surprised, so I stopped as well "What's with the faces? Are you really flabbergasted by my stunning looks?"

"Oh, my goodness! John made a funny expression at us! Hiya there, classmates! John had restored to his good mood!" When Queen abruptly shouted, every one of my colleagues, as well as the other students who were lingering outside of the classroom, rushed to look over us.

"Is it necessary to scream and shout? This woman is likely to be nuts," As if I had just returned from class or whatever, King came over to me and embraced me at the very same time. "John Anderson, 're aboard! You've reverted to your former self. Your expressions are superb! Aren't you screwed up?"

I slapped his arm and laughed out loud "What are you thinking? That I'd rather be in excruciating pain for the rest of my life? Come on, dude. Also, Queen, please stop pestering King. Maybe the two of you will end up together in the coming years."

"Take it easy bruh, don't be surprised when Queen's eyes get even bigger like a tarsier," King and I laughed once more.

"You're both annoying, but I'm still delighted, and the old John has returned and -"

When our classmate came in puffing on the run, Queen didn't finish what she was about to say. "THE TEACHER IS ON HER WAY!"

It was as if a storm had passed through our classroom when my classmates hurried to their seats.

It was exactly six-thirty in the morning as I looked at my watch.

Our teacher came into the room and greeted everyone "Hello, good morning. Have you brought all of your assignments with you?" When she asked, everyone said yes, including King, who did not bother to have an assignment.

"Good! Before we begin, we have a new — " The teacher abruptly stopped speaking as someone entered the room who seemed to be in a hurry judging by the way they both looked.

"We apologize for being late, Ma'am Dizon. There's traffic, and we don't have a service car at the moment," Kate stated.

King and I exchanged glances. Is there any foot traffic yet? In Butuan, there is no traffic. Who did they fool?

"Do you have the same thoughts as I do?" King inquired, and then said, "I'm glad you two are no longer together. Her excuse isn't compelling, stupid."

"Dude, you say so. There must be traffic if this is Davao City or Manila."

We returned our gaze to the instructor when she responded, "That's perfectly fine. It happens all the time. It's good; we haven't even begun yet." She then smiled as she showed the date on her new iPhone 11 pro. Of course, it's a fake smile.

If they were regular students, it'd be a point deduction because we get extra points for being on time, but Kate is the Principal's daughter, so the teachers are terrified of Kate.

They instantly went to the next couple of rows. Kurt is also well-known at school for being a football player, and he was well-known in Junior High for his chick-boy demeanor.

Kate, on the other hand, is the Principal's daughter, so it's no surprise how she's the cheerleading team's captain.

"Anderson! It's a miracle you're not late!" I heard our instructor called me, but when I turned around, I was glued to stare at a woman who seemed to be a transferee and was still uncomfortable among us.

I took a deep breath and couldn't take my gaze away from her. She appeared to be an angel, innocent and gorgeous.

Aside from that, she resembles me of someone I recognize. Mom said that she'd get on school this morning, so I guess she's my new neighbor, and I'll never forget the heavenly beauty I saw last night.

"Yeah," I said as I returned my gaze to the instructor. "It's best early so I don't skip the teachings," I said as I returned my gaze to the woman and then to the instructor.

"John Anderson is staring at the transferee," we suddenly glanced towards Kurt, who'd been speaking at the moment, "Who can blame John, then again? She's a hottie!"

"Silence, everyone!" we returned our focus to her, and she continued to speak while I kept my gaze fixed on her, "She's a transferee from Davao City so she's the one to introduce herself to everyone,"

She flashed us all a pleasant smile. Her smile is lovely, and they seemed to spread like wildfire.

"Hello, folks. My name is Julia Avery, and it's exciting to finally meet everyone."

She beamed at all of us, and she smiled at me while I'm not aware of what came to me, but I smiled too though. Her smiles are seductive, but I quickly averted my gaze off her.